Gas or vapor engine.



No. 730,084. yPATENTED'JUNE'2.'190s? R. A. P. BEILFUSS. GAS 0R VAPOR ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JVULY 15, 1901.

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` L UNITED STATES Patented June 2,1903. I

PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD A. BEI'LFUSS, OF`-LANSING, MICHIGAN.

GAS R VAPO-'R ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of` Lette/rs Patent No. 730,084, dated June 2, 1903. Application led July 15, 1901. Serial'llo. 6.8,39`1l (No model.)

To albwhom it may concern.:

FUSS,'a citizen of the United States, residing at and whose post-office address is Lansing, in the county of Ingham and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gas or Vapor Engines, of which the following is a specification. A

My invention relates-to gasand vapor engines; and the object thereof is to produce an exhaust-valve and igniter of new and improved character and new and improved means for operating the exhaust-valve and igniter.

A further objectof theinventionis to provide means of a novel character to control the speed of the engine.

Still further objects of the invention will appear as the nature of the same is more fully understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

With the above general objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement hereinafter fully described,illustrated, and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a gas-en' section also passing through the suction-pipe, f

needle-valve, &c. Fig. 3 is a detail longitu-v Fig". 4. is a detail elevation of the collar or cam which oscillates the igniter and exhaust-valve stem. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional View of the ignition-chamber on the line a: looking down and illustrating the relative positions'of the`- thereon the cylinder-frame 2, the upper portion of which comprises the main cylinder 3 of the engine. Within said cylinderis mount- -ed a reciprocatory pistonhead 4, which is connected, byV means of a pitman or connecting-rod 5, with the crank-shaft 6, the latter being journaled in bearing-boxes 7, supported on'the base 1, and the shaft being further provided with balance or Hy wheels 8, which are fastened to the shaft by means of keys 9 or in 'anyother convenient manner. The connecting-rod 5 is provided at its vopposite ends with means for taking up wear where it connects with the crank-shaft and also where it connects with a transverse pin or shaft 10,

,extending across the interior of the pistonhead 4, said shaft being'held in place by means of set-screws 11, while wear-plates 12 or cut bushing arel interposed between the end ofthe connecting-rod 5 and said shaft and supported by means of an adjustingscrew 13. The shaft is further provided with an oil-passage 14, by means of whichthe necessary supply of oilis fed to the pin or shaft 14. The 'piston-head is further provided with annular grooves in its outer surface, in which are placed packing-rings 15.

The main body ofthe cylinder 3 is recessedA in its outer surface to form a Water-space 16, which is inclosed by means of va. jacket 17, the lower edge of which is removably fitted in an annular groove l8iin the bottom of the cylinder, while its upper edge is received in a flange 19, adjacent to the upper head ofthe cylinder, the upper head being also jacketed or provided with a water-space 20. Y

2l designates asuction-pipe arranged at one side of the crank-shaft. and extending vertically, said pipe being provided at its upper end with an elbow and connection 22, leading to the suction-valve casing 23, the lower portion of which is'formed with a seat against which operates the suction-valve 24, having its stem extending upward through the valve-chamber and provided with a cap 26 on its upper and exteriorly-arranged end, said cap receiving the outward pressurevof one end of a coiled spring 27, which snr` rounds the valve-stein, with its inner end bearing against the valve-casing, as clearly illustrated in Figs.` 1 and 2, the spring serving by its tension to hold the valve normally closed, but yielding to permit the flow of gas or vapor past the valve into the explosion- ICO chamber 28 in the upper end ot' the cylinder under the influence of the suction caused by the downward movement of the pistonhead 4.

29 designates the exhaust-valve chamber, the upper end of which is provided with a seat for the exhaust-valve 30, said valve being mounted loosely upon its stem 31, which is movable longitudinally for seating and unseating the valve 30. The discharge end of the exhaust-valve casing 29 is interiorly screw-threaded to receive the threaded eX- tensiou 32 of the inner perforated tube 33 of the mutier 34, which is in the form of a hollow cylinder, one end ol which is provided with a head 35, screwing upon the inner tube 33, and the opposite end ot' which is provided with a similar head 36, interiorly threaded to i receive a pipe leading outward therefrom to any suitable point of nal exhaust The inner extremity of the tube 33 is closed by a cap 37, so that the exhaust is sprayed outward through a multiplicity of openings in the tube 33, thus spreading and scattering the force of the explosions and deadening the sound before escaping from the outer cylinder.

Between the cham bers 23 and 29 there is arranged an ignition-chamber 37, such chamber being located between the suction and exhaust valves. Projecting into said chamber is the inner terminal of a binding-post 38, constituting the stationary member of an igniter, and with which connects a suitable electrical conductor 39 from a dynamo or spark-coiL Upon the upper end of the stem 31 is mounted the movable member of the igniter, and it is in the form of a metal arm 40, extending laterally from the extremity of the stem, whereby under an oscillatory movement of the stem 31 the electrical contact is made and broken, thereby emitting a spark, which explodes a charge of gas or vapor contained in the ignition-chamber 37, explosion or combustion chamber 28, and air and gas passage 4l, leading from the ignition-chamber to the explosion-chamber. The exhaust-valve 30 is held normally closed by means of a coiled spring 42, which is interposed between the lower end of the exhaust-chamber and a collar or spring-seat 43, surrounding the stem 31 and adjustable up and downthereon by means of a binding-screw 44, thus adapting the force with which the valve is seated to be regulated.

I will now proceed to describe the mechanism for imparting an oscillatory as well as reciprocatory movement to the valve-stem 31. Adjacent to its lower end the valve-stem passes through a guide 45 in the form of a sleeve carried by the arm of a bracket 46, which is secured for convenience to the cylinder 3 or cylinder-frame. The guide 45 is provided with a notch or slot 47, in which Works a pin 48, projecting laterally from the stem 31, the slot 47 being of such width or size as to admit of the necessary oscillatory movement of the stem, while limiting the degree of 0scillation thereof. In order to oscillate the stem 31, the latter is provided at its lower end with ayielding spring-arm 49, which projects laterally therefrom, so as to be operated upon by a cam-shaped projection 50 on a collar 5l, which is rotated by gearing hereinafter described. Under the rotary movement of the collar 51 the projection 50 strikes against the arm 49, and thereby operates to partially turn the stem 31 in one direction. After the projection 50 passes out of contact with the arm 49 the stem 31 is returned toits normal position by means of a coiled spring 42, which acts spirally or with a torsional action as well as an expansion-spring, the spring thus serving not only to reseat the exhaustwalve, but also to normally maintain the contact between -the igniter 40 and binding-post 38.

The crank-shaft 6 is provided at a suitable point with a spur-pinion 52 of half the number of teeth, which meshes into a spur gearwheel 53, having twice the number of teeth as the pinion 52. The wheel 53 is mounted upon a stud-shaft 54, carried by the bracket. 46, and said whee153is mounted upon ahubsleeve 55., which rotates upon the stud-shaft 54 and also carries with it the rotary collar or cam 50, which operates upon the arm 49, as hereinabove described, the arrangement of the gear-wheel serving to impart one complete movement to the arm 49 to every two revolutions of the crank shaft, the engine thus being of what is known as the fourcycle type. The wheel 53 has projecting from one side thereof a stud 56, upon which is journaled an antifriction-roller 57, which operates against a foot. 58, arranged at the lower end of the stem 31, said-foot being carried by a sleeve 59, surrounding the stem 31 and screwing thereon and being locked by means of a jam-nut 60. Thus in every two revolutions of the crank-shaft and in each revolution of the gear-wheel 53 the roller 57 operates against the foot 58 to impart a longitudinal movement to the valve-stem 31, thereby unseating the exhaust-valve and allowing the exhaust to pass into the muiiler.

In connection with the engine hereinabove described I employ a speed-regulating device which comprises a pair of segmental arms 6l, which are pivotally connected with a projection on the hub of one of the balance-wheels and have a shouldered engagement at one side, as at 62, so as to canse both of the arms to move eqnally,while saidarmgare connected at their opposite free ends by means of a yokespring 63. One of the arms 61 is connected by a pivotal link 64 with a weighted arm 65, pivotally connected at 66 with the balancewheel and having the free end thereof connected, by means of a resistance-spring 67, with another portion of the wheel by means of an adjustable screw 68, by means of which the tension of the spring 67 may be regulated.

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Under the rapid rotation of the crank-shaft the arms 6]. are caused'to move outward under the influence of the Weighted arm, and thereby to press outward the curved p ortion 69 of la rocker-arm 70, provided with a bearing 71, by which it is journaled on the studshaft 54, said rocker-arm being provided at its opposite or upper end with a catch 72, adapted under the rapid rotation of the crankshaft and balance-Wheels to be moved beneath a governing-catchv 73 on the stem 3l for the purpose of defeating the closing of the eX- haust-valve, and thus reducing the force of the explosions and their effect against the piston-head. When the speed of the crankshaft has been materially reduced, the catches are moved out of engagement with eachother, so as to allow the exhaust-valve to resume its normal position; 74 designates an air-release cock, which communicates with the interior of the cylinder 3, and 75 represents a lubricating-pipe leading to the-interiorof the cylinder. K

Within the suction-pipe`2l is mounted a brass tube76, which is enough'smaller than the suction-pipe to leave a surrounding annular space, the upper end of the tube 76 being open and the lower end thereof closed and provided with anelbow 77, which communicates with a needle-valve casing 78, projecting laterally from the suction-pipe. Within the casing 78 is mounted a needle-valve 79,

having at its outer extremity an operating head or button 80.

Sl denotes an oil-supply pipe, which communicates with the needle-valve chamber for supplying oil thereto. The oil passesinto the tube 76 through the needle-valve opening, where it is vaporized and mixed with the with prior constructions, in which 4separate stems or parts Were necessary toperform the two operations referred to. Itwill also be seen that the coiled spring 42 operates both' to seat the exhaust-valve and yretract theigniter after it has been operated upon by the Y stem-oscillating mechanism hereinabove described. It will also be seen that the antifriction-roller 57 operates both tounseat the exhaust-valve and release the governingcatches.

The engine above described is simple, economical, and direct in action; There islittle liability ot' the working parts of the engine getting out of order, and on account of the accessibility of the parts the engine may be kept in running order with little trouble andl at a minimum expense. The waste of gasolene or vapor is also to a great extent dispensed with, andthe further supply of oil may be regulated by the needle-valve.

case of fracture the Water-jacket may be removed. and replaced'at small expense and without great trouble, as it is easily disassociated from the cylinder. v

' It will be Aapparent that the invention is susceptibleof various changes 'in the form, proportioinandA minor details of construction, which may accordingly be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

' Having thus described the invention, what `is claimed as new, and desired to be secured -by Letters Patent, is-

'Y 1. In a gas or vapor engine, the'combin'ation with a valve-stem, of an exhaust-'valve mounted thereon, an electric circuit,a stationary member of an igniter interposed in the ary member of an igniter interposed in' thev IOO circuit, a movable member of the igniter in# terposed in the circuit and rigidly mounted on the stem, a single spring fornormally retaining the exhaust-valve closed and the igniter in position to close the circuit, means for imparting to the stem reciprocatory and oscillatory motions, and means for limiting the oscillatory motion of the stem.

3,. In a gas or vapor engine, the combination with a valve-stem, of an exhaust-valve mounted thereon, an electric circuit,a stationary member of an igniter interposed in the circuit, a movable member of the igniter interposed in the circuit and rigidly mounted on the stem, a single spring for normallyv retaining the exhaust-valve closed, and the igniter in position to close the circuit, means for imparting to the stem reciprocatory and oscillatory motions, a sleeve provided with a notch, and a pin carried by the stem, and

adapted to be received by the notch whereby.

the oscillatory motion of the stem is limited.

4. In agas or vapor engine, the combina# tion with a valve-stem, of an exhaust-valve f 'mounted thereon, an electric circuit,a stationoscillatory motions, a sleeve provided with a A notch, a pin carried by the stem, and adapted I'Io IZO

to be received bythe notch whereby the oscillatory motion of the stem is limited, zt governing-catch mounted upon the steln,aJ rockerarln, and a pair of segmental arms adapted to separate under excessive speed to throw the rockenarni in engagement With the governing-catch to unseat the exhaust-valve.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

RICHARD A. F. BEILFUSS.

Vitnesses:

WM, A. FRASER, LOUIS J. CARLS. 

